Quinta da Romeira

Quinta da Romeira has been producing wines since 1703 and is one of the most prestigious estates in Bucelas, Portugal’s only exclusively white wine appellation. They are believed to have the largest Arinto vineyard in the world, with 75 hectares of vineyard dedicated almost exclusively to the grape, planted on clay-limestone soils. The property was bought by the Guedes family in 2018, who have invested heavily in the estate, improving the viticulture and, as of 2023, putting the talented Luís Cabral de Almeida (of Herdade do Peso fame) in charge of winemaking.

Quinta da Romeira has a remarkable history. During the Peninsula Wars, the Duke of Wellington used the estate as his headquarters, developed a taste for their wines and brought them home to London as an offering to King George IV. They soon gained a following in Britain, with celebrity fans including Charles Dickens and Lord Byron.

The ‘Prova Régia’ is a nod to this royal endorsement, with the name translating as ‘royal approval’. Made from 100% Arinto fermented in stainless steel and unoaked, this is a vibrant wine boasting precise aromas of ripe lemon, green apple and a marked minerality. Four months of lees stirring add texture to the palate and a crisp acidity carries the bright fruit flavours through to a clean finish.

The ‘Morgado de Santa Catherina’ is a partially barrel-fermented 100% Arinto. Aged for nine months in French oak barrels, 40% of which are new, with regular bâtonnage, it marries delicious brioche aromas with the characteristic zesty fruit of the Arinto.

The ‘Espumante Bruto’ is a traditional-method sparkling, which is again made from 100% Arinto. The natural linear acidity of this prized, indigenous variety lends itself particularly well to sparkling wine production. After secondary fermentation in bottle, the wine is aged on its lees for nine months, gaining remarkable biscuity complexity. The 2021 vintage was recently named the Best Portuguese Sparkling Wine of the Year at the Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships 2023.